Robert "Bob" Anthony Zalewski

Robert "Bob" Anthony Zalewski, age 79, of Erie, died suddenly on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at his residence. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA on November 25, 1929, the son of the late Sylvester Harry Zalewski and Helen Walkowski Zalewski.

Erie was his long-time home. He was stationed in Okinawa in the Air Force after WWII. Bob was employed at National Forge, General Dynamic (Electric Boat Division), and the Erie Unemployment Bureau. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church, Erie Photo Club, TOPS, and he volunteered at the Hamot Wellness Center. He enjoyed photography, languages (he spoke Polish, Spanish, Japanese, and Russian), art, computers, traveling (he traveled with family to China and Israel), metallurgy, and gardening.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Hessinger Ericson Zalewski, his children: Robert S. Vann Rox of Erie, Nadine Miller (Tom) of Lewistown, PA, Daniel A. Zalewski of Boulder, Colorado, Miriam Schultz (Tim) of Home, PA, Alexandra M. Laughlin (Patrick) of Erie, and two stepsons: Mark Ericson (Michele) of Erie, and David Ericson of Portland, Maine, one brother, Eugene Zalewski, his grandchildren Jennifer Goode (Eric), with two great-grandchildren, (Ty and Cole), Melissa Singh (Arjune), Brenda Clepper, Tamara Miller, Miranda Schultz, Robyn Schultz, Cherise Schultz, Lillian Schultz, Danielle Ericson, and Drew Ericson. He was preceded in death by one brother, Harry Zalewski.

Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Sunday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to Grace Church, 7300 Grubb Rd, on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. conducted by the Rev. Al Detter. Interment Laurel Hill Cemetery.